Tonight at Duke Tu Ling’s estate, there was a sea of people.
Merely the engagement banquet of Zhi Li’s attendant had nearly captured all the nobles and feudal lords of the Angry Wave Kingdom in one net.
Even all the civilian elite civil officials and military officers mobilised their entire forces.
The people who came to offer congratulations numbered in the thousands and tens of thousands.
Those with low noble ranks and low official positions could only come to deliver a congratulatory gift, not even qualifying to sit at a table and attend the banquet.
Of course, it was not that Duke Tu Ling’s estate had not prepared, but these people had self awareness.
This time, when the king issued the edict for the princess estate’s establishment, several thousand invitations were sent out, to all the kingdom’s nobles, feudal lords, and civilian high officials without exception.
Yet not a single person attended.
While over here, for Ling Ao and Gui Qin Shao’s engagement banquet, the invitations were sent not even by Zhi Li, but merely jointly by Ling Ao and Gui Xing Fu.
Moreover, very few invitations were sent, less than two hundred in total.
One for each feudal lord, and one for each civilian high official. As for traditional nobles, invitations were only sent to those with extremely close relations to the Tu Ling family.
Yet countless people came uninvited.
So, the broad road outside Duke Tu Ling’s estate was blocked by carriages for several li.
This was truly immense sorrow, immense desolation!
Because tonight, everyone had to choose a side. There was no middle ground, no drifting left and right.
Either stand on Zhi Li’s side, or stand on Zhi Yan’s side.
Thus, everyone stood on Zhi Li’s side, with Suo Lun becoming that lone odd one out.
…
Tonight was the most beautiful and happiest time since Gui Qin Shao’s birth.
This beautiful peacock of hers could completely bloom to her heart’s content.
Previously, she had merely been the absolute focus of Lin Hai City. But tonight she was the focus of the entire Angry Wave Kingdom.
Tonight, her limelight completely overshadowed all women, even the supreme Princess Zhi Yan.
Thousands upon thousands of people vied to present her with congratulatory gifts. All the world’s feudal lords, all the nobles, all the high officials came to attend her engagement banquet.
She enjoyed this feeling of being the centre of universal attention too much, so every so often she would ask about the situation at the princess estate.
However, the reply she received was identical every time, completely deserted, not a soul in sight.
Instantly, she became even more excited and pleased with herself.
Tonight she was also incomparably beautiful, like a fully bloomed rose, so gorgeous it was heart stopping, making people’s spirits sway.
From the banquet’s beginning until now, she had been dancing the entire time.
Dancing with her father Gui Xing Fu, dancing with her fiance Ling Ao, dancing with Prince Zhi You.
Without stopping, she had already danced for a full three hours or so, yet she still felt not the slightest fatigue, still incomparably excited, as if she had inexhaustible strength.
Tonight was truly her happiest day.
She had already lost count of how many dance partners she had danced with. She was too beautiful, her sequined crystal long gown too enchanting, accentuating her curves too provocatively.
So every dance partner who danced with her was utterly captivated, intoxicated beyond measure.
And the incomparably handsome Ling Ao was another focus of the banquet. Just tonight, he had been adopted as a godson by Duke Tu Ling Tuo, and a godson with inheritance rights to the family property.
He was handsome and tall, his martial arts unfathomably profound, his future prospects limitless, so he also became the focus of the noble ladies present. Nearly all the noble young ladies vied to dance with him.
Ling Ao was currently dancing with Tu Ling Duo.
“Your fiancee is too popular,” Tu Ling Duo said.
At this time, Gui Qin Shao’s dance partner was a marquis’s heir. She danced lightly while laughing delicately, her absolutely stunning face seeming to radiate light.
A trace of displeasure flashed through Ling Ao’s eyes. His possessiveness was very strong, and he did not want any man touching his Gui Qin Shao.
But this was an engagement banquet, there was no helping it. Only the most popular people could continuously accept invitations to dance. Strictly speaking, the more popular Gui Qin Shao was, the more face Ling Ao had.
“He is just a child who likes to play,” Ling Ao said. “After marriage, she will be as domestic and virtuous as her mother in law.”
Tu Ling Si had indeed been very fond of playing in her youth, and had had scandals with many noble young men. But after marrying Gui Xing Fu, she became deeply devoted, though to call her virtuous was truly something that could not be discussed at all.
After she married Gui Xing Fu, she probably had not cooked a single meal, not sewn a single garment, and would frequently roar like a lioness from east of the river, pointing at Gui Xing Fu’s nose and cursing.
“Is my aunt considered virtuous?” Tu Ling Duo asked with a smile.
Instantly, Ling Ao smiled awkwardly and said, “But she and father in law are very happy, are they not?”
“That is true,” Tu Ling Duo said. “Even happier than the vast majority of couples.”
Gui Xing Fu and Tu Ling Si both loved each other exclusively, and had produced four children.
Although Tu Ling Si would frequently roar like a lioness from east of the river, on key matters she completely obeyed her husband’s words. When she was especially unreasonable and overbearing, Gui Xing Fu would fiercely spank her bottom, then have a vigorous session for over half an hour, and all her anger would dissipate, cold wars never lasting more than half an hour.
“Xiao Qin and I, in the future will also be like father and mother in law, happy for a lifetime,” Ling Ao said.
At this time, a tune finally ended.
Ling Ao quickly walked to Gui Qin Shao’s side and said, “Alright, you have danced all night. Rest for a while, otherwise later you will complain about foot pain again.”
“No, I am too happy, I am not tired at all.” Gui Qin Shao’s smile was like flowers, her jade arm hooking around her fiance’s neck as she said coquettishly, “If my feet hurt, later you must be responsible for massaging them.”
At this time she was truly filled with intimate feelings towards Ling Ao, because tonight’s glory was all brought to her by Ling Ao.
Her words were both coquettish and petulant, making Ling Ao’s heart melt, but he put on a stern face and said, “Later I have no time, I have matters to attend to.”
And the noble men nearby who heard these words nearly vomited blood from jealousy, hating Ling Ao for not understanding romance, wishing they could rush forward and say, let me massage them for you.
Gui Qin Shao was so absolutely beautiful, her jade feet, let alone massaging, they would gladly lick inch by inch.
“How annoying, I do not want to pay attention to you anymore.” Gui Qin Shao said petulantly, releasing Ling Ao’s neck and turning her delicate body away to get a glass of red wine and drink it down.
She was certainly not angry. Tonight she would not be angry.
“Ao, where is Suo Lun?” Gui Qin Shao asked casually, pretending to be unconcerned.
“At Princess Zhi Yan’s estate, carrying out a futile struggle,” Ling Ao said. “At this time, perhaps they are conducting their so called three person meeting, just like three mice in a mouse hole, discussing how to emerge from their cave and occupy the human palace.”
Ling Ao’s tone was very caustic. Previously he would not be like this, but tonight he could not help himself.
Tonight he was too pleased with himself, plus he had drunk some wine and was slightly tipsy.
He indeed had the qualifications to be pleased with himself, because he had harvested the most beautiful woman of the Angry Wave Kingdom, harvested the jealousy of all men, his status had received affirmation from all people.
As for Suo Lun, he had now become the odd one out of the entire Angry Wave Kingdom, like a street rat, barely surviving, with not many days left.
“You did not send him an invitation, right?” Gui Qin Shao frowned.
Ling Ao had sent one to Suo Lun, and even sent two.
Because recently he had heard Suo Lun’s name too many times. Heard that he had created miracle after miracle, with the power of one person harvesting over ten thousand troops, then defeating Zhi Ning’s great army despite being outnumbered, successfully recapturing Tianshui City.
And in Ling Ao’s view, the key to Suo Lun’s success lay in one point, shamelessness, having no face.
Which of his deeds did not rely on women? Which deed did he accomplish by himself?
And as a man, the most important things were breadth of mind, political vision, and wisdom.
In these aspects, Suo Lun could completely be described as stupid and clumsy. If he had even a little wisdom, he would not have ended up as a public enemy of the entire nation.
So some people thought Suo Lun was impressive, but he completely disdained them. A person without wisdom, no matter how impressive his other methods, was heading in the opposite direction.
So, he had sent Suo Lun two invitations, precisely to let him come here and taste what it felt like to be a street rat.
Precisely to let him clearly see how stupid he himself was, and how impressive Ling Ao was.
“How, do you hope Suo Lun comes, or hope he does not come?” Ling Ao asked Gui Qin Shao.
“Of course I do not hope so,” Gui Qin Shao said directly. “I feel nauseated when I see him, I want to vomit.”
This answer made Ling Ao extremely satisfied. He had originally been extremely concerned about that brief wedding between Gui Qin Shao and Suo Lun, like a thorn stuck in his heart.
Although that night Suo Lun and Gui Qin Shao had divorced immediately after bowing in the wedding hall, and Gui Qin Shao had even specially worn widow’s garb to curse Suo Lun to die early, thereby drawing a clear line.
But, Ling Ao was still concerned. What he wanted was one hundred percent Gui Qin Shao, completely flawless Gui Qin Shao. Even a fake wedding from the past filled him with absolute misgivings.
At this time, Gui Qin Shao’s tone when speaking of Suo Lun was filled with extreme disgust, which made him feel very vindicated and satisfied.
Very quickly, the music sounded again.
“I want to dance, will you accompany me or not?” Gui Qin Shao said coquettishly.
Ling Ao quickly stepped forward. He truly did not want yet another man to dance with Gui Qin Shao.
Although it was merely holding her slender waist through clothing, although it was merely holding her jade hand in white silk gloves.
But he still could not bear it. He did not want Gui Qin Shao to be touched by anyone even a fraction.
And at this time, Tu Ling Chen came to Ling Ao’s side and said, “The Destroy Suo secret meeting has begun.”
The Destroy Suo secret meeting, of course, was the secret meeting to destroy Suo Lun.
Although Tu Ling Chen’s voice was very soft, Gui Qin Shao’s heart still trembled slightly.
Ling Ao nodded, left the dance hall, and headed towards the highest meeting room of Duke Tu Ling’s estate castle.
Immediately after, Tu Ling Chen came to Tu Ling Duo’s side and said, “Go to your boudoir, there is a person waiting for you there.”
Tu Ling Duo’s expression changed and she said, “What do you mean?”
“To meet a marriage prospect,” Tu Ling Chen said. “Your fiance is waiting for you there. Did you not want to know who he is? Go and you will know.”
Tu Ling Duo said angrily, “A marriage prospect is a marriage prospect, why must it be placed in my boudoir? Could it not be in the parlour, in the garden? Why must it be in my boudoir?”
Tu Ling Chen said, “That is because I want to tell you, this marriage agreement cannot be refused, and meeting in your boudoir is your fiance’s will.”
Instantly, Tu Ling Duo’s face turned pale.
Was this world so cruel? Even her own family was so cold and heartless?
She had merely lost to Suo Lun, and thus had her dignity trampled upon like this?
Of course, it was not merely her. She had already heard that Zhi Ning’s ending was even more tragic. At least she still had freedom, while Zhi Ning had been imprisoned in a room less than a dozen square metres, not allowed to step outside even once.
Then, she walked with heavy and cold steps towards her boudoir, like a piece of merchandise, waiting for a strange man to select her.
…
The dance continued, but Gui Qin Shao had some concerns, yet did not know what they were. Could it be that she had heard Tu Ling Chen’s words about the Destroy Suo secret meeting?
But, if Suo Lun died, she should be overjoyed, right? Because Suo Lun was the greatest enemy of her life.
She dreamed of Suo Lun dying a miserable death.
But very quickly she cast everything to the back of her mind. Since she could not figure it out, she would not think about it. Enjoying the moment was most important.
Enjoy the happy times before her eyes, enjoy this noble man’s utterly infatuated, utterly captivated gaze.
The man currently dancing with her seemed to be vaguely an heir of a feudal lord from the Yan Empire.
The Yan Empire and the Angry Wave Kingdom exchanged envoys. This man with a gentle countenance before her was one of the Yan Empire’s envoys stationed in the Angry Wave Kingdom.
And this man had been completely enchanted by Gui Qin Shao to the point of not knowing north from south, unable to utter even half a sentence, his heart seeming about to leap from his chest, his eyes not even having the courage to look directly at her face.
Gui Qin Shao, like Yan Nai Er, had a radiance that was truly dazzling, making people unable to look directly at her.
“Does your honourable envoy know my elder brother?” Gui Qin Shao said lightly, enjoying the other party’s flustered and utterly captivated state.
“Y, yes…” This Yan Empire envoy stammered, “Young Master Gui Qin Bi’s fame is constantly heard in our Yan capital, whether in literary talent or martial arts, he astonishes all people.”
Gui Qin Bi, Gui Xing Fu’s eldest son, the undisputed heir to the position of Lin Hai City lord, twenty six years old this year. Because of his outstanding talent, he studied together with many royal clan children at the Yan capital’s Divine Dragon Holy Hall. Moreover, he also concurrently served as the first military officer of the Angry Wave Kingdom’s embassy in the Yan Empire.
He was merely the son of a feudal lord, yet could study together with Zhi Ning and Zhi Yan at the Yan capital Holy Hall, showing his status and talent.
So, although he was long term absent from Lin Hai City, neither Gui Qin Qu nor Gui Qin Zhong dared harbour any ambition towards the heir position.
Just as Gui Qin Shao was enjoying this man’s utterly captivated gaze before her.
Suddenly…
The entire dance hall fell completely silent.
First, everyone stopped dancing, then the music also inexplicably stopped.
Then, everyone’s gaze turned towards the doorway.
They saw an incomparably handsome man walk in lazily.
Seeing this face, Gui Qin Shao’s face instantly changed colour, her heart suddenly clenching tight.
The person who came was of course Suo Lun, currently the public enemy of the world, the odd one out of everyone present, the world’s youngest feudal lord.
Gui Qin Shao only felt her head go blank, momentarily losing her ability to react.
Suo Lun walked into the banquet hall, holding up his invitation and saying, “I have an invitation, even two of them. I am not an uninvited bad guest.”
No one responded to him, deathly silent.
Suo Lun smiled and said, “Why did everyone stop? Continue, let the songs play on, let the dances continue, just pretend I do not exist.”
Then, the music sounded again.
Everyone continued dancing gracefully. Only wherever Suo Lun passed, those nobles dodged aside one after another, as if he had the plague, once touched by him it could not be shaken off.
This was forming cliques to attack those who differed, this was choosing sides.
As Zhi Li’s enemy, these nobles did not even dare exchange a single greeting with him in public.
Suo Lun came before Gui Qin Shao and said to her dance partner, “May I dance one dance with the bride to be?”
That Yan Empire noble young man, although reluctant, was an honest person, very polite, saying, “Of course.”
Suo Lun directly grasped Gui Qin Shao’s jade hand, put his arm around her slender waist, and began dancing gracefully.
Gui Qin Shao’s entire delicate body was almost rigid, her absolutely beautiful face completely devoid of colour.
Tonight was her most beautiful and glorious time, and the person she least wanted to see was Suo Lun.
Because Suo Lun was her nightmare. Most crucially, she feared Suo Lun would speak some secrets that would destroy her glorious moment.
“What did you come here for? You are not welcome here,” Gui Qin Shao said coldly.
“But, your fiance sent me two invitations in succession, I truly could not refuse such warm hospitality,” Suo Lun said. “But why do you not welcome me?”
“I wish you would go die,” Gui Qin Shao said. “You will soon be dead for certain. Right now they are holding a secret meeting on how to finish you off.”
This woman was truly interesting. A secret she had heard a quarter hour ago, now she was speaking it out.
“Your chest has grown bigger, your bottom has grown bigger too,” Suo Lun said. “But do not grow any bigger. Your mother’s bottom is as big as a millstone, only your father can endure that.”
Gui Qin Shao’s face instantly flushed red, certain unbearable memories surfacing, and she said angrily, “Shut up. You are now like a stray dog. With one command from me, I can have you thrown out.”
“You are very pleased with yourself tonight, your limelight has overshadowed Princess Zhi Yan,” Suo Lun said. “Do you love Ling Ao?”
“Of course I love him,” Gui Qin Shao said.
“No, you love the glory he brings you,” Suo Lun said. “You love the feeling of being the centre of universal attention, the feeling of countless people surrounding you like stars holding the moon. All this, you think Ling Ao has brought you.”
“So what if that is true? Ling Ao will become the kingdom’s foremost subject within a few years, while you will not survive past spring,” Gui Qin Shao said coldly. “I do not care what purpose you have in coming here, please leave immediately.”
“What are you afraid of?” Suo Lun asked. “Afraid I will speak out the secret between us? Afraid I will say your hymen was made by a sorcerer? Afraid I will tell Ling Ao that your chastity was long ago ruined by me, that he has long been cuckolded by me?”
When these words came out, Gui Qin Shao’s face turned deathly pale. Suo Lun had indeed struck upon the thing she feared most in her heart.
Tonight was her most glorious time, her happiest night.
But once Suo Lun spoke out about her loss of virginity and rape, all glory would be destroyed, her engagement with Ling Ao would certainly fall through, and she would also become a laughingstock.
Once such a thing happened, the consequences were completely unimaginable.
“Rest assured, I will not speak out,” Suo Lun said. “They say one night as husband and wife brings a hundred days of grace. How could I be so heartless towards you?”
Gui Qin Shao’s face flushed red again, wishing she could spit directly in Suo Lun’s face, saying in a low voice, “Shameless.”
Suo Lun continued holding her as they danced, saying, “My dear, I came for only two matters. First, to let you think clearly. Are you certain you truly love Ling Ao?”
“Shut up,” Gui Qin Shao said. “Of course I love him.”
Suo Lun said, “Second matter, I am inviting you to meet me tomorrow afternoon at the Flower Rain Pavilion, a secret private meeting with just the two of us.”
Gui Qin Shao said tremblingly, “You, what do you want to do?”
Suo Lun said, “Of course to renew our former affinity with you. You must come. If you do not come, then this mouth of mine will not be able to keep certain secrets shut.”
Gui Qin Shao’s absolutely beautiful face turned pale with terror!